Infant Self-Recognition And Mother–Infant Attachment: Developmental Trajectories And Implications For Early Socio-Emotional Development

Abstract

Infant self-recognition constitutes a critical milestone in early cognitive and socio-emotional development, marking the emergence of an organized and differentiated sense of self. Although self-recognition has traditionally been examined through maturational and perceptual frameworks, contemporary research increasingly highlights the significance of early relational experiences, particularly mother–infant attachment, in shaping self-cognitive development. This systematic review synthesizes developmental psychology and attachment research to examine age-related trajectories of infant self-recognition and their association with attachment patterns. Guided by PRISMA principles, peer-reviewed studies were systematically identified and analyzed to explore how secure and insecure attachment influence the timing, coherence, and emotional quality of self-recognition. The findings indicate that secure attachment facilitates emotional regulation, exploratory behavior, and reflective self-awareness, whereas insecure attachment patterns may delay or disrupt self-recognition and subsequent socio-emotional outcomes. The review advances an integrative developmental framework and offers practical implications for early parenting interventions and childhood policy aimed at promoting healthy socio-emotional development.